54 votes

Happy Birthday David Attenborough, 'the voice for nature,' turns 100

18 comments

  1. [9]
    chocobean
    Link
    Happy Birthday to a true gem of a human, beyond a British national treasure! One of nature's finest examples of glory to be sure Gave me a jump scare when I saw Sir David's name on a headline

    Happy Birthday to a true gem of a human, beyond a British national treasure! One of nature's finest examples of glory to be sure

    Gave me a jump scare when I saw Sir David's name on a headline

    24 votes
    1. [5]
      mat
      Link Parent
      Every single time. Especially as it's not his birthday until friday. If, when that time finally comes, Attenborough doesn't get a state funeral I will fucking riot. In a very dignified way. Maybe...

      Gave me a jump scare when I saw Sir David's name on a headline

      Every single time. Especially as it's not his birthday until friday.

      If, when that time finally comes, Attenborough doesn't get a state funeral I will fucking riot. In a very dignified way. Maybe push over a display in Waitrose or something. Tut loudly over a nice cup of tea.

      18 votes
      1. chocobean
        Link Parent
        His own wing in the Natural History Museum. Install a giant statue like he's the Jupiter sitting in his temple. The building is built in that style anyway and Darwin's had his time.

        His own wing in the Natural History Museum. Install a giant statue like he's the Jupiter sitting in his temple. The building is built in that style anyway and Darwin's had his time.

        5 votes
      2. [3]
        DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        Will you harrumph in public?!

        Will you harrumph in public?!

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          mat
          Link Parent
          Woah woah woah, easy there. Let's not get carried away.

          Woah woah woah, easy there. Let's not get carried away.

          3 votes
          1. DefinitelyNotAFae
            Link Parent
            I thought it might be too much but wanted to see how serious you were!

            I thought it might be too much but wanted to see how serious you were!

            2 votes
    2. [3]
      PetitPrince
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      You're not alone. For once I wish the title to be editorialized with a prefix "Happy Birthday!" so that it reads as a good piece of news from the beginning.

      Gave me a jump scare when I saw Sir David's name on a headline

      You're not alone. For once I wish the title to be editorialized with a prefix "Happy Birthday!" so that it reads as a good piece of news from the beginning.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        chocobean
        Link Parent
        @AugustusFerdinand would you kindly consider changing the title to start with Happy Birthday?

        @AugustusFerdinand would you kindly consider changing the title to start with Happy Birthday?

        1 vote
  2. [4]
    tildin
    Link
    Looks like his birthday is on the 8th. So not quite 100 yet, but soon. I'm a bit worried of these premature "celebrations", but this is just superstition hehe.

    Looks like his birthday is on the 8th. So not quite 100 yet, but soon. I'm a bit worried of these premature "celebrations", but this is just superstition hehe.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      balooga
      Link Parent
      Yeesh, longevity is nice but I would hate to be at an age where my expected remaining lifetime is measured in days. Even if he’s in perfect health, injury free, and mentally sharp…. just...

      Yeesh, longevity is nice but I would hate to be at an age where my expected remaining lifetime is measured in days. Even if he’s in perfect health, injury free, and mentally sharp…. just statistically his odds of seeing 101 are vanishingly slim. I don’t know how I’d cope with the grim reaper following me around like that. Going to bed every night wondering if this sleep will be the one I don’t wake up from. Every shower, every stair step, every bite of food could possibly be what does me in.

      I wish him well. Old age is a blessing and a curse.

      1 vote
      1. ylph
        Link Parent
        In the US about 60% of 100 year olds are expected to reach 101. It does compound pretty quickly after that of course, only about 6% of 100 year olds are expected to reach 105, but still 50% of the...

        his odds of seeing 101 are vanishingly slim.

        In the US about 60% of 100 year olds are expected to reach 101. It does compound pretty quickly after that of course, only about 6% of 100 year olds are expected to reach 105, but still 50% of the 104 year olds.

        2 votes
    2. dhcrazy333
      Link Parent
      Yeah they cursed Betty White with this when I forget who it was published an article a few weeks before her 100th birthday celebrating her 100th birthday and then yeah... Hopefully 1 more day is...

      Yeah they cursed Betty White with this when I forget who it was published an article a few weeks before her 100th birthday celebrating her 100th birthday and then yeah...

      Hopefully 1 more day is perfectly fine. He's a world treasure.

      1 vote
  3. [2]
    lynxy
    Link
    I had no idea that both Obama and Billie were a part of the royal family? On a more serious note- I grew up on Attenborough documentaries. His voice, and his approach to nature, were and are a...

    Counting Britain's royal family, Barack Obama and pop star Billie Eilish among his admirers..

    I had no idea that both Obama and Billie were a part of the royal family?

    On a more serious note- I grew up on Attenborough documentaries. His voice, and his approach to nature, were and are a formative part of who I am. I wish him good health for as many years as he wants, and given his love for his work, I'm sure he wants many more.

    6 votes
    1. chocobean
      Link Parent
      The newer movies and shows are all excellent, but I am still partial to the "long form" serious and less infotainment style of Life series.

      The newer movies and shows are all excellent, but I am still partial to the "long form" serious and less infotainment style of Life series.

      2 votes
  4. mat
    Link
    I feel like "Voice of Nature" does Attenborough something of a disservice. Not that his contribution to Natural History isn't gigantic. But it leaves out so much more he did. The guy pretty much...

    I feel like "Voice of Nature" does Attenborough something of a disservice. Not that his contribution to Natural History isn't gigantic. But it leaves out so much more he did. The guy pretty much single handedly created arts and science television, when he was in charge of the then-brand-new BBC2. He commissioned a little comedy show called Monty Python's Flying Circus. He largely created the "authored documentary" format. His contributions to film-making are also important, the technical developments made during the creation of the Life, Earth and similar series have been breaking new ground in how to capture nature on film for almost fifty years.

    Also here is a list of things named after him. It is long.

    6 votes
  5. mantrid
    Link
    Amazing. He's old enough that any time I see a headline starting with "David Attenborough, 'the voice for nature,'" my heart skips a beat.

    Amazing. He's old enough that any time I see a headline starting with "David Attenborough, 'the voice for nature,'" my heart skips a beat.

    5 votes
  6. KapteinB
    Link
    A true legend. I'm currently reading his latest book ('Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness', with Colin Butfield), and I can't help sometimes hearing Attenborough's distinct voice in my head as I read...

    A true legend.

    I'm currently reading his latest book ('Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness', with Colin Butfield), and I can't help sometimes hearing Attenborough's distinct voice in my head as I read it. The book is, in a word, inspiring, detailing how successful some ocean conservation projects have been.

    Here's hoping he stays in good health!

    2 votes